Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

““Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are the ones who wash their robes, so that their authority will be over the tree of life and they may enter into the city through the gates. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral people and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and who practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:12-17)

Chapter nineteen continues the lament of the fall of Babylon and then rolls into the marriage supper of the Lamb. A great multitude rejoiced and an angel spoke to John telling him that there was a blessing for those who were invited to the supper. Then the heaven opened and John saw Jesus. A white rider on a white horse. Faithful and True. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Then the beasts and the kings of the earth which had gathered in opposition to God were defeated. There was no contest. The beasts and those who worshipped them were cast into the lake of fire. Everyone else who was part of the military opposition to God was killed. Army gone. Fight over.

Chapter twenty is really the last chance for humanity. The devil was bound for a thousand years, unable to actively tempt anyone or deceive anyone. Jesus set up judges on the Earth and there was perfect judgment for that thousand years. Then the devil was released and he went to gather people and nations in opposition to God. He deceived them (probably into thinking they could win, but that’s a guess) and they gathered together like sand on the seashore. They stood against God, but God sent fire from heaven and defeated them. The devil was cast into the lake of fire along with the beasts. Then a great white throne was revealed and God sat on it. There were books opened. Also opened was the Book of Life. All the dead came before the Throne. They were judged according to their deeds which had been recorded in the books. Anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life (those who had chosen to accept Jesus after hearing the gospel message) were cast into the lake of fire. They had been given the choice, they understood the choice, and they had chosen to reject Jesus. Rejecting Jesus is the ONLY sin that gets you into the lake of fire. All our other sins are the fruit of rejecting Him.

Chapter twenty-one sees the arrival of the new heaven and new earth (either a brand new creation or a completely restored to original settings creation). No more death. Sin done and gone. People living WITH God, face to face. God living with them, face to face. Jerusalem is described, full of its wonder and the glory of God. It is marked by LIGHT. Light everywhere. The ones who enter it? Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Chapter twenty-two starts with the river of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. Beside it the tree of life. “And there will not be any curse any longer, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves will serve him, and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will not exist any longer, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp and the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give light to them, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5). And then the angel who was escorting John tells him that the words John has seen/heard are faithful and true. Jesus declares that He is coming soon three times. John declares that his record of his vision is true. He saw these things and witnessed these things. A warning is given to teach the revelation to John faithfully, not adding and not taking away. Give it exactly as it is written. It is a record of what will be. It is a record of God’s ultimate victory. It is for encouragement and it is for warning. Jesus is coming soon. Rejoice and lean into Him. He is coming soon!

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, John

Key Verse(s): Revelation 19:5-10; 20:11-15; 21:9-27; 22:1-13